Brioche….no, really….B.R.I.O.C.H.E.

Do you get “down to the City” enough? We are literally sixty teeny miles from THE metropolis of all the metropolis’ on the planet. And I’m not talking about tourist trap Times Square, but all of the funky neighborhoods that spill over with culture, architecture and so much food. So much food.

Last Saturday, I was on a mission to see Patti Smith’s photo exhibit at the Robert Miller Gallery in Chelsea and where else but in New York City can you actually go to an exhibit by your favorite poet/musician/writer in the entire universe and accidentally meet them.

After I recovered on the sidewalk from near hyperventilation, we headed directly up the stairs and on to the High Line and encountered more people than the we did on the Great Wall of China. It was spectacular with the flowers and the no cars and meeting your favorite rock star can make you hungry so we hopped off somewhere to a very, very happy surprise. I immediately recognized the name atop a corner restaurant directly across the street from the Chelsea Market. Colicchio & Sons.

Tom Colicchio, from my favorite food show, Top Chef, owns this Craft Restaurant and we made a beeline, because I knew if anyone was going to offer GFree fare it was going to be, my man, Tom. We were provided with a brunch menu and there it was like a marquee in my mind…

A fancy way of saying, this girl is about to get some French Toast. It arrived and looked like this and you can just imagine after not having had Brioche since I was diagnosed with Celiac six years ago, the excitement.

Brioche Pain Perdu

As the GF community knows all too well, it’s one thing for a dish to look “like the real thing” and another for it to taste “like the real thing”. GUYS. It was phenomenal. Tom Colicchio’s chef is to Brioche as Willy Wonka is to candy. First of all, look at that Lady Fingeresque shape. Cut into it and it’s inside looks like a real brioche with teeny layers of air pockets. One bite reveals that sweet, dense yet light magic trick that a good Brioche manages to pull off. A minuscule amount of delectable maple syrup was all I required. I kept putting my fork down, saying, “no way, can’t finish all of this” only to pick it up again and again until it was all gone.

After brunch we rolled across the street to do the thrilling Chelsea Market where GF choices abound but I was too full to bite. Ok…Tom….do NOT pack your knives and go. You won.

Get yourself to Collichio & Sons…

212.400.6699 – 85 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

About annbyrne

Diagnosed with Celiac Disease in August 2009, join me as I navigate my way through the Hudson Valley living gluten-free.
"Gluten-Free in the Hudson Valley" is the recipient of the 2012 New York State Associated Press Award for "First Place Blog".